Young Widow Pursued Om Bule

Efforts That Produce Results

Slowly Riani opened her eyes. He found a room that was all white with a very distinctive smell.

"Welcome back, Ri."

Slowly Riani's head moved in search of the source of the sound. And he found Clark standing by the bed, putting his hands in his pants pocket.

"Clark, am I in the hospital?" riani asked while trying to get up but when he felt pain in his hand, he saw there was an infusion tube on his right hand.

"Smart...! You fainted for a few hours. Your stomach acid has a disorder that doctors say is very severe. I don't know when you last ate, coupled with the excessive stress you finally have to end up here" Clark said with a sad face.

"How did you bring me here?"

"I came right when you passed out on Jack's doorstep. Leo opened the door and offered to take you inside but I refused because to me, Jack's orders were too late. You know what the doctor said? It's 5 minutes late you'll be dead, Riani."

Riani involuntarily shed tears. "I'd be angry with God if I were to die right now. I will fight to be with my son."

"God is very kind to you. You could have survived. Now, restore your health. And you'll fight with a healthy body to face Jack in court."

"The court?"

"Isn't your divorce trial scheduled for 4 days? That's where you have to fight to get your rights as a mother."

"Should I wait so long? I miss Reo so much that I can't sleep well because I want to hug him."

Clark grabbed Riani's hand. He rubbed it gently. "You can do it, Ri. Because you are a strong woman."

"Thank you, Clark."

Clark smiled. Camila, hopefully by helping Riani, I can make amends for all my mistakes with you.

********

This morning Riani was released from the hospital. He had to face his first divorce hearing. Their marriage was held in Indonesia but Jack had registered their marriage in England.

This trial was held in a closed manner. Riani was grateful that no journalists had come. Riani knew, Jack must have arranged everything so that the court also did not divulge to anyone about their divorce.

Jack was not present at the first hearing only represented by his lawyer, Sam. Clark acts as Riani's lawyer.

Jack remains with his desire to divorce whereas Riani will approve the divorce provided Jack grants Reo custody to him.

The judge asked Jack to appear at the second trial.

When they met there, Jack always didn't want to look at Riani.

"I object that custody falls into Riani's hands. First, she has no job, secondly she is not a responsible wife for having an affair, thirdly, I do not want my son to be taken to Indonesia" said Jack.

"Mrs Riani wasn't unemployed when you married her, Mr. Jack. He had to leave his job to follow you here. And you all need to know, now Mrs Riani is no longer unemployed. He worked at the Clark company as a head of marketing with a decent salary to be able to support himself and his son." Clark said that made Riani a little surprised. But he smiled while nodding.

The judge gave Riani a chance to talk. "I did not abandon my son as I was accused of. But Jack took my son while he was still drinking breast milk exclusively. I'm not even allowed to see my son. I was very depressed because as a mother I had to be separated from my son. I agree if Jack wants to split up. That's a sign that he doesn't trust me anymore. I don't need monthly money from him because I can work for a living with my own hands. I just want to get my right as a mother" Riani said as she tried to hold back her tears from falling. He doesn't want to look weak in front of Jack.

After 3 trials, the judge finally decided that Jack and Riani finally officially divorced. Riani is allowed to babysit baby Reo as long as she is still given ASI but baby Reo remains at Jack's house. So until Reo grows up, Riani has no restrictions on coming to visit her son.

The judge also ruled that Riani would continue to accompany Jack's alimony despite Riani's refusal.

When the judge knocked on the hammer, for a moment Riani recalled her encounter with Jack. Memories in Bali and memories in his home in the village are back. The memory was like a million needles piercing the heart of the woman. He quickly wiped his tears. Her hand took off the wedding ring that was still coiled on her ring finger. With a quick step he approached Jack who seemed still discussing with Sam.

"Jack....!" call Riani.

Jack finally looked.

Sam smiled wryly. "You lost him, Jack."

Jack took the ring and put it in his pants pocket.

********

Riani's cry broke as she was able to hug her child. Baby Reo who initially just looked at Riani with a blank look finally smiled after Riani greeted Rek ayo rek which is a typical song from the region.

"My baby....!" Riani kissed Reo whose body was feverish at the time.

And when Riani tried to breastfeed Reo again, her son sucked on her voraciously.

Until 9pm, Riani was at Jack's house. After giving instructions to Reo's new nanny, Riani returns home with Jack. She is shocked to learn that Cassie has chosen to stay back in the dorm and only comes home every Friday.

Jack is not home until Riani returns home.

**********

"Clark, whose apartment is this?" ask Riani.

"This is an apartment owned by a company that is usually occupied by employees or company partners who have to stay for some time. It's also close to Jack's house so you don't take long to see your son."

"Thank you, Clark. I don't know how to repay all your kindness."

Clark smiled. "Enough by being a strong and unyielding Riani."

Riani nodded. He stared at the apartment room which was said to be quite luxurious.

"There are two rooms here. One room is on the second floor. My own apartment is near my office. But it's not far from here either. Tomorrow morning, I'll pick you up at 7 so you can meet baby Reo first, then after that we go to work."

"So it's true that I'm going to work?"

"Do you really think what I told the judge was a lie? I know in Surabaya you work as head of marketing. It just so happens that my head of marketing has been moved to another branch. So your presence is very appropriate."

Riani hugged Clark. "Thank you Clark."

"You deserve it."

After helping Riani arrange some items, Clark decided to go home.

**********

Sister Fanny, who became Reo's nanny, said that baby Reo slept very soundly after being breastfed by her mother.

Jack kissed his son's cheek and headed straight to his room. He stared at the wedding photo with Riani still in their room.

Heart of Jack. As he reached into his pocket, he was shocked to realize that Riani's wedding ring was there.

Jack put the ring in the nightstand drawer. There is also his wedding ring that has been opened for a long time.

Jack knew why his heart felt so lonely. Especially with Cassie's decision to stay in the dorm. Jack felt that he was alone in the middle of this magnificent palace. Something was missing and it was very painful.

**********

Hello everyone, thank you for your participation in reading up to this part.

I then handed it back to the original author. Thank you for allowing Amanda, who is still an amateur, to be able to write some parts in this novel.